Teen critically hurt after being struck by pickup in Arkansas, police say; driver arrested

A teenage boy remained in critical condition Wednesday afternoon, hours after being struck by a pickup in Arkansas, police said, and the vehicle's driver has been taken into custody.

Adam Shaffer, 35, of Fort Smith has been arrested on a charge of second-degree battery in the pedestrian crash, according to a news release.

Around 7 a.m., officers were called to the intersection of Old Greenwood Road and Gary Street in Fort Smith, which is near Southside High School.

Police say Shaffer ran a red light while driving a Ford Ranger and hit the youth as he walked east across Old Greenwood Road. The victim’s identity has not been released, but police said he was between the ages of 15 and 17.

Shaffer was “impaired on substances other than alcohol” at the time, the release states.

The teenager was initially taken to a Fort Smith hospital before being flown to a Little Rock hospital for treatment, according to authorities.

Upcoming Events